Charlotte, North Carolina might be a recognizable name from the "banking hub" aspect. Lots of BBQ places around here. Maybe do some pulled pork (do you have a way to actually smoke this with Hickory chunks?) and a vinegar-based sauce with red slaw - PM me if you need any recipes.

Also - Cleveland, Ohio was the largest settlement for Hungarian immigrants. Lots of options there.

Charlotte, North Carolina might be a recognizable name from the "banking hub" aspect. Lots of BBQ places around here. Maybe do some pulled pork (do you have a way to actually smoke this with Hickory chunks?) and a vinegar-based sauce with red slaw - PM me if you need any recipes.

Also - Cleveland, Ohio was the largest settlement for Hungarian immigrants. Lots of options there.

That was almost identicle to the Charleston road trip! It was a huge success. Naturally, I'll change the name to Charlotte and do the whole thing over again!

I've got almost every piece of equipment known to man...except an authentic smoker

That was almost identicle to the Charleston road trip! It was a huge success. Naturally, I'll change the name to Charlotte and do the whole thing over again!

I've got almost every piece of equipment known to man...except an authentic smoker

Charleston to me = Frogmore Stew/Low Country Boil - YUMMY! To do that menu you could always use Savannah as your city.

I've tried liquid smoke and I'm just not a fan of it at ALL! Do you have a grill with a lid? You could still smoke that way very easily! Or you could use Hickory, NC (yes, that's me ) and do beer butt chicken since that seems to be what people request - I'll give you my rub recipe if you want. And my mother's Macaroni Salad - it belongs at every cookout!

My favorites use Italian bread. They cut it into 6" sections and don't use the end pieces. They pile the Italian beef on it, then the sweet and hot peppers, then use tongs to pick it up and dunk the entire thing in the juices from the Italian beef. They then place it on what looks to me a lot like parchment paper and wrap it up.
Some people unwrap completely and eat it up, I like to pick it up and unwrap as I eat it. Some like to 'drag it thru the garden' IE adding all kinds of veggies to it, or put cheese on it, etc.
I like mine with only the sweet and hot peppers on it, and dunked!